Self Portrait of the Bagel Master

Joshie-Poo quote of the week:
"I have never been wrong when it comes to the ways of the bagel."

Fried Fish Water

When we were in New York several years ago I started taking pictures of interesting and funny signs. One said "We are probably the lowest priced in town"...probably? Another advertised fried fish water and chicken fajita juice at a food stand. Of course they were each separate items but the sign read all as one and we still laugh about it to this day. One of my favorites was a picture of a sign on the side of the highway that read "Do Not Pick Up Hitchhikers", with a view of a prison in the background. Michael is also in this picture posing as a shady looking guy with his thumb hitched out. So, when we unpacked Joseph's highchair we found this one...

"Remove and discard before using." And in three languages no less! Hmmm, why even put that sticker there, then??? Anyone up for some fried fish water?

Hello From Seattle, Washington!

It sure seems like Seattle around here! What's the deal with the weather? This is rainy day number three! We love a good rainy day and spent a little time snuggling up at the window looking outside.

Ironically enough, we are waiting on the rain to stop to have our new sprinkler system installed. We're very excited!! As good as Josh is at setting up our ratchet sprinklers, it's just a big ol pain in the rear. After this monsoon of a rain, it's going to be the next best thing for our yard. The lawn will thank us! Your welcome, lawn. :)

Raindrops on Morning Glories

These beauties are coming out of the woodwork. Or brickwork as the case may be. I had a few blooms early this summer and then nothing until these last few days of cooler weather and rain. They always seem to bloom like crazy when we get a break from the 100's and high 90 degree days.
And I LOVE them! I couldn't resist going out and gazing adoringly at them early this morning. The colors were so vibrant!

I tried to leave out the leaves because they are ridiculously tiny and holey at the moment. You'd laugh and say "what the heck are those crazy little green things there?" and laugh some more. The thing is, they have the potential to be huge and beautiful and mine just haven't made it there quite yet.

We've had these guys for three years now and they spread like wildfire. And you better believe it when I say...they'll be back.

I've posted all my favorite shots here but the piece de resistance is next. Beware, it might take your breath away. It just does something for me. I hope I go to sleep tonight and dream of this...

Baby Teeth

I went to the dentist the other day. I set my purse down on the floor when I came home and soon heard some rustling coming from that direction. When I peeked over there I found Joseph with my baggie of dental goodies...

He seemed pretty proud of himself for finding a new toy. I guess it's never too early for dental education, eh?

He didn't care if the toothbrush was in or out of the package. But he had the right idea! Brusha brusha brusha!

According to the little card under his arm, he also has two cavities and has an appointment for fillings in a few weeks. I'll break the news to him gently.

Joseph toothy update: he has two on bottom, two on top and one peeking through!

Yes, there is about to be a new baby among us! Kelly is due September 25, and says her legs are so tired. As well they should be since they've pulled their fair share over the past 8 months!

And by the way...it's a BOY! Joseph gets a new friend!

Poor Kylie...she has no idea she is about to turn into a "middle child."

We had a mini shower for Kel this week. We wanted something with just us and it was great fun! We had lunch and cake and opened presents! New babies are the coolest!

We are waiting for you, baby Korey David! I can't wait to meet you and hug you up!!

Your Friendly Neighborhood Mascot

Well, not MY friendly neighborhood mascot...I should think that I wouldn't like that type of mascot at all. But over on the Pankratz properties, this guy is making himself at home. Uncle Ray set up his game camera after some of the cats and small children came up missing around the neighborhood. Oh not really; no small children were harmed in the making of this post!

Here's the proof. They've got themselves a coyote.

Here he is again the next night...I suppose they've got a problem on their hands. I just don't want to know the resolution. You know I'm a very sensitive gal.

Wait a second..they're gonna need a bigger trap. Well, it looks like the food lure worked. Hee hee, sorry Aunt Sheri - nothing but love!!

I want to take you on a tour of my beautiful house plants. I love these guys and visit them daily to see what they are up to. There is a sad story behind my plants, though. As you may have experienced with your own plants, gnats are attracted to damp, rich, organic matter. Gnats are therefore drawn to my lovely and cherished plants. My plants are therefore banished to the outdoors because we don't want gnats in the house. One solution to this problem is to not water the plants as much, and to keep the soil loose. But I only water as they need it, and I mix around the soil to prevent it from becoming too compact. There is nothing else that I have found that I can do. I'm sad, but the thing is - when I put my house plants in a shady corner of the porch they flourished. They loved the new found bright light so their leaves doubled in number and they became so vibrant. So now I am really sad because if I ever bring them back in I am sure they will hate me forever. *Sigh* Come with me - let me show you my favorite house-porch plants.

This green and purple fuzzy one is called 'Sow's Ear'. By the way, I don't know anything technical about my plants like the 'real' scientific names - which are no fun anyway!

I got it as just two leaves from a mama plant at my old job. I just took her home and stuck it in some soil and rooted it right up.

Look at the soft fuzzies. It's like when boys cut their hair real short and it has that funny feel when you rub it. It's nice, right?!

This 'Sliver Queen' we've had for many years. It came from Chicago when Josh's grandparents moved from there to Georgia. I can only imagine how long they had it before we got it. Same pot and everything. I've re-placed the stalks a couple of times because it was looking lanky - but like I said, I take it outside and it practically doubles in size in no time flat. It doesn't look lanky anymore.

We got this booger at Ikea for some ridiculously cheap price when it was like an inch tall. It's a big ol' beautiful and incredibly hardy 'Tropical Plant'. When I've looked for it online it seems it is one in a huge group of plants called Tropical Plants...that works for me!

I can't remember what this one is called. I got it from my last job with the Sow's Ear. And what have we here? This particular leaf has a funny little er, growth or something on it. I've seen these tiny white dots on the ends of these even smaller white strings on our wind chimes before. Are they eggs? Is it fungus?

My vote is for fungus. They are so delicate and kinda cute! They add character to my little plant!

Oh gosh, I wish I could have my house plants back but at least they are happy. Besides, I'd probably have my hands full keeping Joseph out of them.

Speaking of keeping Joseph out of plants...I don't think he'd like these chives very much. Sometimes I cut them all the way down just to watch how fast they grow back! And to get a whiff of their light onion fragrance. OMG, Josh just sat down on the couch next to me with a big bowl of granola cereal mixed in with cocoa puffs. I can't top that right now, I guess I'm done....

Tickle Monster

Our Backyard Visitors

Look who happened into our back yard this morning! We've seen hawks around the neighborhood before but this guy and his friend were up close and personal. I saw one on the peak of our neighbors garage just a few minutes before. I was admiring his spotted feathers and wondered if they ate squirrels - because that would be awesome. Then his friend or perhaps partner swooped down into our backyard and (I kid you not) bonked a squirrel that was running around the grass. I couldn't believe it since I had just been thinking about that! The other hawk came down too, wings spread wide open and squawking his signature screech. It was really cool to see them so close. They didn't end up eating the squirrel, unfortunately, but at the same time who would want to witness that?! They did bop him a few more times. I think he must have been close to a nest or something - or maybe they were playing??!! If they were "playing", I don't think that squirrel liked it very much...


P.S. Check out those talons!

Series No. 1098998631

You know we take a lot of pictures around here. Tonight however may have been my favorite series! Until the next one...hey, I'm the mommy - I can say that about each and every photo ever taken of my precious if I want to! I took so many stinkin' pictures...I couldn't stop. If you love baby Joseph raise your hand!!

This evening was so nice. There was a cool breeze blowing away the hot air and we didn't see a single mosquito. The clouds were really pretty too. They were those super big fluffy ones with lots of light shining around them. I always think of them as "heaven" clouds. Joseph couldn't appreciate them just yet, but we're working on it. Little known fact about me: I "wrote" a book called Clyde the Cloud Cutter when I was in 4th grade. My teacher bound it and it had a hard cover so it looked like a real book and I felt so special!

But soon it was time for bed and so we had to say goodnight to the wonderful evening. Please, oh please send us another one soon. We'll be waiting!

Joseph just wanted to say hi! And he loves you!

To Rain or Not to Rain...

...that is the question! We could really use some rain. It seems like every time a storm is-a comin' Plano puts up it's force field and it dissipates. I don't know if it's the heat from the city or some other natural phenomenon, but inevitably a big storm will come across Ft. Worth, hit Denton and Flower Mound, Lewisville and west Plano...we'll be watching it on radar, hoping and willing it to just make it a little bit further...it's starts to get smaller...the bright yellow starts to turn to dark green, then light green...it's getting closer, but smaller and smaller, then we look out the window as it starts to sprinkle - for five minutes. And that's it. Every time. Last week we got to see this pretty rainbow but man, we could sure use some rain.

The Meringue

Well, I felt compelled to take you along on my first meringue attempt. I was making a chocolate pie and while I thought cool whip would be delicious on top, I thought I'd go ahead with the traditional meringue. I'd never made it before so I wanted to try, but I've never been fond of the stuff personally. I figured I'd end up scraping it off and dolloping a generous, um, dollop of cool whip on my piece anyway...but for the sake of tradition - first the meringue!

My chocolate filling sat patiently while the crust baked and egg whites whipped...and smelled delish!

Now let me tell you about this toaster over pie baking situation. It is the greatest! It doesn't heat up the whole kitchen - heaven forbid on these 106 degree days (yes, that really is the forecast for today) - and it's quick!

So the whipping commences...unsureness takes charge and I debated calling mom to see exactly what peaked means. I decided to charge on and keep on mixing, and mixing, and mixing. And mixing.

Finally I thought this looked pretty "peaked". I hope it looks like your meringue, cause otherwise you might be laughing at me right now. Or you don't care either way. Frankly, I am eying that cool whip more and more at this point. I don't like the texture of meringue, and it doesn't have much taste. Josh digs it, so he was my inspiration!

Voila! Here she is in all her (slightly burnt) glory! The meringue turned out not too shabby and the chocolate tasted like a wonderful blend of pudding and cake batter. Don't hate cause your jealous. Yummmmm!